Life in London

London is a dynamic cultural metropolis where you will not have time to sit still. We help you make the most of your stay here by providing a varied social programme and updates about what there is to do and see. Many events in London are free and you can get out and about even with a limited budget.
The city boasts some of the finest theatres, museums, galleries and entertainment in the world. Browse our list of ‘Essential places to see in London’ and start planning the visits that you cannot afford to miss.

Saving Money

Council Tax Exemption

You are only exempt from paying council tax if you are enrolled on a one-year course and study for a minimum of twenty-one hours per week. This means that the majority of students in independent, rented accommodation have to pay council tax.
More information about this can be found on the government website:
https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-full-time-students

10% student discount in shops and restaurants

Your student card will give you a discount of 10% in many shops, restaurants, theatres and restaurants that offer a student discount.

30% discount on London transport

You will qualify for a 30% discount on London transport if you enrol for a full-time course of 14 weeks or longer. This includes London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, buses and trams. Mayfair School of English is registered with TFL and we can help you with your application for discounted travel.

Transport

Getting out and about in London is really quite easy once you know how the transport systems work. The Citymapper app is very helpful for all travel and can be downloaded to your phone.

Travelcard

You can travel as often as you like on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and National Rail services within the London travel zones with a Travelcard. On Oyster, you can buy 7 day, monthly, odd period or annual travelcard.

You can purchase a Travelcard valid for transport on the buses, Underground, Overground, DLR, trams, scheduled riverboat services and some National Rail services for anytime travel or off-peak travel (off-peak starts after 9:30 in the morning). You can also purchase a travel pass valid only for the bus network in London – this pass will not allow you to travel on the Tube or on any trains.

Oyster Card

An Oyster card is a pay-as-you-go travel pass that you can use for the Underground, bus, tram, DLR, London Overground trains and some National Rail train services. You first have to pay a £5 refundable deposit for your Oyster card and then you add credit to your Oyster card as you want to travel.

The advantage of having an Oyster card is you always pay the lowest price for your journey. The Oyster card is available to everyone and you can either purchase it at selected retailers, or at most stations. You can also buy one online, in many high streets that advertise the card in their window.If you travel during peak times, Monday to Friday (7:30 – 9:30 in the morning), you will be charged more for your journey.

Taxis

Travelling by taxi in London can be economical for several people travelling at the same time. There are two taxi services: registered black cabs or mini-cabs. Black cabs can found on any street or at taxi stops which are located all over central London and surrounding areas. You are charged by distance and time on a meter.

Mini-cabs can be more economical but you need to pre-book either by phone or by calling into a mini-cab station. Minicabs charge a pre-agreed price for the journey regardless of traffic. For females travelling alone, there are some mini-cab companies run by women only for women.

Uber cab service

Uber is an online mini-cab service that connects passengers with drivers via an app. Once you have set up an account with Uber, passengers can check the estimated price of the trip on their smartphones and book a taxi with a tap on the phone. Users receive a confirmation straight away and an estimated time of arrival and position of the cab on an interactive map. You also get a picture and name of the driver on your phone along with a contact telephone number. Payment is debited directly from your bank account via the account you set up.The first ride is free!

Travelcard

You can travel as often as you like on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and National Rail services within the London travel zones with a Travelcard. On Oyster, you can buy 7 day, monthly, odd period or annual travelcard.

You can purchase a Travelcard valid for transport on the buses, Underground, Overground, DLR, trams, scheduled riverboat services and some National Rail services for anytime travel or off-peak travel (off-peak starts after 9:30 in the morning). You can also purchase a travel pass valid only for the bus network in London – this pass will not allow you to travel on the Tube or on any trains.

Oyster Card

An Oyster card is a pay-as-you-go travel pass that you can use for the Underground, bus, tram, DLR, London Overground trains and some National Rail train services. You first have to pay a £5 refundable deposit for your Oyster card and then you add credit to your Oyster card as you want to travel.

The advantage of having an Oyster card is you always pay the lowest price for your journey. The Oyster card is available to everyone and you can either purchase it at selected retailers, or at most stations. You can also buy one online, in many high streets that advertise the card in their window.If you travel during peak times, Monday to Friday (7:30 – 9:30 in the morning), you will be charged more for your journey.

You may also find vacancies advertised in your local press and online on the Gumtree website.http://www.gumtree.comVery close to the school in and around Soho, there are many restaurants, sandwich bars, shops and small businesses that frequently advertise job vacancies in their windows.

How to Get a National Insurance Number

International Students and National Insurance Numbers

Everyone working in the UK needs a National Insurance (NI) Number. This is used for your employers to make NI contributions on your behalf. Your NI number is used as a reference number for the whole benefits and tax credits system.

Can I Start Work without an NI Number?

You can start work before your National Insurance number arrives if you can prove you can work in the UK. You should tell your employer that you’ve applied for one, and give it to them when you have it.
If you do start work without an NI number, it is very important that you apply for your permanent NI number as soon as possible after starting work.

The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) gives priority to NI Number applicants that have already been offered a job. Applicants are required to provide confirmation of employment or a job offer (e.g. a contract, letter from employer, or recent payslip) when applying.

It is possible to apply for an NI Number prior to getting a job, but you MUST be able to prove that you are actively seeking work. You will be asked to show more than one piece of evidence of this (e.g. recent correspondence with employers, proof that you have recently registered with a recruitment agency, photocopies of recent applications forms). Unless you have sufficient evidence of actively seeking work, or proof of current employment, your application for an NI Number may not be successful.

How to Apply for an NI Number – EEA Students and Dependants

Students and dependants from the EEA (European Economic Area) – this includes all students and dependants from EU (European Union) countries, including countries that joined the EU in recent years (please speak to one of the Work Link office staff if you are unsure), can apply as follows:

Call the Jobcentre plus National Insurance Number Allocation Office on 08456 000643 to start the application process for an NI number.

You will be asked for the following information: full name & address including postcode, contact telephone number, date of entry into the UK, details from your passport or European Identity Card (you must have this with you when you call).

You may also be asked for the full name and address including postcode of employer, and contact number of employer, if you have already been offered a job or are currently working. If you are applying on the basis of ‘actively seeking work’, you may be asked about this.

If you are able to answer all the questions, you should be immediately allocated an NI number interview time and date at a local Jobcentre plus office so make sure you have your availability ready and be prepared to make a note of the interview details. You will receive a letter confirming this interview within a few days of your call.

You will be asked to take documents such as your passport, contract of employment and ID to your NI number interview at the Jobcentre plus office.

This interview enables the Jobcentre plus to check your documents in person. You will then be sent your NI number in the post, followed by your NI number card (looks similar to a credit card) within a few weeks.

Getting an NI number

Apply by phone for a National Insurance number

Telephone: 0345 600 0643

Textphone: 0345 600 0644

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Jobcentre Plus may write to you and ask you to come to an interview where you’ll be asked about your circumstances and why you need a National Insurance number.

The letter will also tell you which documents to bring to prove your identity, eg:

passport or identity card

residence permit

birth or adoption certificate

marriage or civil partnership certificate

driving licence

You’ll be told at the interview how long it’ll take to receive your National Insurance number.

Bank account

I am a student from outside the UK. How do I choose which bank is best for me?

You should be able to open a ‘basic bank account’ with a number of different banks. A ‘basic bank account’ provides easy access to banking facilities for adults in the UK. Some banks offer a bank account tailored specifically for your needs as an international student.

Most banks don’t ask you to pay in any money to open a basic account. You should look around to see which bank and account suit you best and then visit the local branch of the bank you have chosen.

What is a ‘basic bank account’ and what other types of account may be available?

A basic bank account is an account offering basic banking services. You can use it to pay in and take out money, but you cannot get credit. If you need credit you should speak to a bank about opening a ‘current account’ or what else may be made available to you. There may be different application procedures for opening current accounts. There are also other types of account where the bank asks you to keep a minimum balance. This allows the bank to offer you a wider range of products and services. Some banks also offer student accounts.

Once I have chosen an account, how do I open it?

You will need to visit the local branch of the bank you have chosen and take with you documents that show who you are. Please check with your chosen bank what they require, but usually you need to provide the following as a minimum:

If you want to open an online or a telephone account, the bank may need to see more documents to prove your ID. Bank staff will be able to tell you what documents they accept in these circumstances.

Once you have opened a bank account in the UK, always let your bank know in writing and as soon as possible if you change your address.

What services can I get with an account?

With a basic bank account:

You can have money paid directly into your account.

You can take your money out at a cash machine.

You can take your money out at a Post Office.

You can pay bills by standing order or direct debit.

You may be able to make purchases online or in

shops (check with the bank).

You cannot get credit or an overdraft.

With other accounts:

You can have money paid directly into your account.

You can take your money out at a cash machine.

You can pay bills by standing order or direct debit.

You can make purchases online or in shops.

You may get additional features and benefits

Where can I open an account?

You can go to any of the large banks as listed below.

What is the best way to bring money with me into the UK?

If you want to bring money into the UK with you, a convenient method is to ask your bank in your country to give you a cheque in sterling (UK pounds) drawn on a London bank. Alternatively, you can transfer money from home after opening the account.

It is important that you take with you the necessary documents to be able to open an account.

Can my family or employer pay money into this account from abroad?

Yes, they can.* When you open the account the bank may ask you who you think will normally pay money into your account, and where they are located. You should make sure that you provide the correct account information to whoever is paying into your account: for cross-border payments, your International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and your Bank Identifier Code (BIC) will be required. Your bank will be able to give you these codes. It can also tell you how long it will normally take for a payment to arrive in your account.

There may be a charge for accepting payments into your account from another country. The foreign bank, or their agents, may also charge for sending the payment.

Can I make large payments such as my college fees or my monthly rent?

If you have enough money in your account, you can use direct debits and standing orders for regular payments. You can use electronic transfer for large, single payments. Basic bank accounts do not offer cheque books, but this should not be a problem – there are many other payment methods you can use.

Will I pay for the services I use?

Most basic account services are free. You will pay nothing for using most cash machines in the UK.

Can I borrow money?

Most accounts listed do not allow you to borrow money. However, if you would like a loan, an overdraft or any other type of credit, then you should talk to a bank to get help and advice on the best ways of doing this.

The British Council. If you are a student managed by the British Council, you should contact your local office as explained in your briefing pack.

The Money Advice Service publishes a leaflet on Basic Bank Accounts at www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/publications;
and impartial financial information for young adults is available at www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/ yourmoney/lifestages/youngpeople

Education UK has a specific section on its website about international student bank accounts – www.educationuk.org/International-student-bank- accounts